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(No Model.) W. E. WASHBURN.

VOLTAIG PILE.

No. 482,444. Patented Sept. 13, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM E. \VASHBURN, OF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF T\VO- THIRDS TO F. S. WVASHBURN AND F. E. WASHBURN, OF SAME PLACE.

VOLTAIC PILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 482,444, dated September 13, 1892.

Application filed June 14, 1892. Serial No. 486,680. (No model.)

To ail whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM E. WASH- BURN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voltaic Piles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to produce a voltaic pile compact in form and of high intensity and adapted by reason of its form, size, and structure for convenient use in therapeutics and for other purposes.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pile embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the copper element forming a part of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The pile, which is quite simple in construction, is composed of layers or laminae of copper and zinc (or equivalent positive and negative elements) suitably connected in series, and for the most of theirsuperfices separated by interposed layers of paper or other suitable absorbent, and an insulation of suitable material, as paraffine. Provision is made for connecting the elements electrically in circuit and for generating the current by the use of a suitable liquid. The particular means by which I accomplish these ends will now be more specifically described.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the zinc element, which may be suitably amalgamated, and which, as well as the other parts of the pile proper, is preferably round, a simple disk with a central hole a. To the terminal zinc disk is soldered one end of the circuit-wire E. Directly below this zinc disk is placed a disk of some absorbent of liquid, such as blotting-paper 0. Next to the absorbent is placed the copper element B, (represented by black lines,) and just below this the insulating-disk of paraifine or the like D. This series of layers or laminae is continued to the bottom of the pile, the terminal disk being one of copper, as shown.

In order to make the connection of the elements in series through the pile, I provide the copper element with a small lip b, which is turned in under the insulating-disk and makes contact with the next zinc element below. The various disks are mounted on a central rod or wire G, inclosed in an insulating-tube H, preferably rubber. The Wire G, which is preferably copper and provided with a terminal ring at the upper end, is riveted to the copper disk at the bottom of the pile, and the ring connects with the other wire of the circuit F. A clamp-ring I, closing snugly around the insulating-tube above the upper zinc disk, holds the parts together. It only remains to immerse the pile in some generating-fluid, as sulphuric acid or vinegar, and close the circuit, when a current of high intensity is at once generated, the strength and intensity depending on the volume and number of the connected elements.

The smallness of the pile as compared with its effectiveness renders it very portable, and its use in therapeutics, as well as for other purposes, very convenient, while the simplicity of its construction makes it comparatively inexpensive. It will be understood that the circuit-wire F might be connected directly with the lower copper element, as by solder; but I prefer in practice to connect both wires near the same point and at the same end of the pile, which I am enabled conveniently to do by virtue of the stem Gr, passing through the whole series of disks.

Having thus described my invention, I claim-- 1. A voltaic pile composed of alternate layers of positive and negative electric elements and interposed alternately-arranged absorbents and non-conductors, one of said elements having a small portion extending past the insulation and in contact with the opposite element, whereby the pile is adapted to operate byimmersion in a suitable exciting-fluid,substantially as described.

2. In a voltaic pile, the combination of p0sitive and negative elements in alternating series, interposed absorbents and non-conductors also in alternating series, with contactpoints to connect the elements separated by the non=conductors, and an insulated stem passing through the entire series and having an electrical connection with one of the elements at one end, and means for closing the circuit, substantially as described.

3. The herein-described voltaic pile, composed of disks of copper and zinc, separating disks of porous paper and paraffine arranged in alternating order, as specified, a lip on each of the disks of one element adapted to make a point of contact with the disks of the opposite element, an insulated rod or Wire passing through all the disks and connecting electrically with one of the terminal disks corresponding electrically with itself, a clampring to hold the parts together, and circuitclosing means, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVILLIAM E. VVASl-IBURN. WVitnesses:

L. A. ST. J OHN, JOSEPH KUBIOEK. 

